President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama awarded 108 medals to prison officers during the 57th Prison Day anniversary celebrations in Mahalapye on Saturday May 23.

Among the recipients were Commissioner Silas Motlalekgosi who was bestowed with the Botswana Prisons Service Medal for Meritorious Service.

The honour is bestowed on members of the Botswana Prison Service for outstanding contribution to the development of the prison service in particular and to Batswana generally.

President Khama also awarded 20 officers the Botswana Prisons Service Distinguished Service Order (BPSDSO) medal.

It is awarded for meritorious service to officers with an exemplary record of at least 30 years of continuous service. Among officers who were honoured with the BPSDSO award were deputy commissioner Edna Balang, senior assistant commissioner Patrick Monkutlwatsi and assistant commissioners Ofentse Leshomo, Montle Ponatshego and Motlalepula Vakalisa.

Another batch of 28 officers was honoured with the Jubilee Service medal for a good service record of at least 25 years.

Also, 59 officers with at least 18 years of continuous service got medals for long service and good conduct. Meanwhile, Mr Motlalekgosi appreciated the good conduct prison officers and prisoners continued to display.

He said the prison officers’ concerted efforts to fulfilling the Botswana Prisons Service mandate would no doubt position the institution as a performing entity and further take it to greater heights.

Mr Motlalekgosi assured Batswana that he would do his best to take the organization to another level. He said as the country moved towards 2016, there was need to reflect as a service on the achievements and contributions towards realisation of Vision 2016 pillars.

He said as a security oriented organ, they would always be measured by their contribution towards the “safe and secure nation” pillar with special focus on provision of safe custody to offenders besides their rehabilitation.

Meanwhile, celebrations were held under the theme Towards a safe society: fostering a culture of acceptance. The prisons day annual celebrations were graced by representatives of prison services from Tanzania and Zambia together with some cabinet ministers and Ntlo ya Dikgosi representatives.

There was ample entertainment at the event. The prisons band mesmerised spectators with a magnificent display of parade formations. There was also an auction sale of livestock and sale of fresh vegetables, courtesy of prisoners. BOPA